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California Bill Would Require Internet Map Blurring

"Would establish a basic standard of security for soft targets of hate crimes and terrorism, such as schools, places of worship, government buildings, and hospitals." -- California Assemblyman Joel Anderson (pictured)

The bill would establish a basic standard of security for soft targets of hate crimes and terrorism, such as schools, places of worship, government buildings, and hospitals." -- California Assemblyman Joel Anderson (pictured)

Wednesday, California Assemblyman Joel Anderson introduced AB 255, which would require online mapping services such as Google Earth or Virtual Earth to blur aerial or satellite views of churches, schools, government or medical buildings. The bill would also prohibit the maps from providing street-level views of such facilities. Violators would be charged with a crime, assessed a penalty of $250,000 per day and given a prison term. A note on Anderson's Web site says the bill is "a public safety bill that would establish a basic standard of security for soft targets of hate crimes and terrorism, such as schools, places of worship, government buildings, and hospitals."

Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.